Liverpool Take on Greuther Furth in Pre-Season Friendly, Dominik Szoboszlai Out
Liverpool are set to take on German side Greuther Furth in their second friendly of pre-season, but their new signing Dominik Szoboszlai is unable to make an appearance. The club have described his omission as a “precaution”, after the midfielder rolled his ankle in training.
Monday lunchtime brings a meeting between Liverpool and 2.Bundesliga outfit Greuther Furth, following their 4-2 win over Karlsruher. The release of the Reds’ lineup came just under two hours before kickoff at the MS-Technologie-Stadium, with Alexis Mac Allister making his first start.
Speaking to LFCTV, Jurgen Klopp said: “He rolled his ankle slightly in training. If today was a Premier League game then he could play but we take no risks.” There is a hope that the Hungarian will be fit again for the meeting with Leicester in Singapore on Sunday, with his absence likely to be a matter of days.
Without Szoboszlai, Klopp has turned to Cody Gakpo as part of his starting midfield, the Dutchman filling in alongside Mac Allister and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The manager has shuffled his pack elsewhere, as Ben Doak starts on the right wing and Mohamed Salah takes a place on the bench.
It is likely that Klopp will make wholesale changes at half-time, as against Karlsruher, with opportunities for other youngsters such as James McConnell, Jarell Quansah, Calum Scanlon and Bobby Clark. Melkamu Frauendorf could make his first outing of pre-season after missing the opening friendly with a minor fitness issue.
Liverpool’s Pre-Season So Far
Liverpool have been preparing for the upcoming season with two pre-season friendlies so far. Their first match was against Karlsruher, where they won 4-2. Szoboszlai made an appearance in that game, but he will not be able to follow it up with a second friendly appearance due to a minor ankle injury.
Klopp has been using this pre-season to give some of his younger players a chance to shine. The likes of Mac Allister, Gakpo, Doak and Frauendorf have all been given opportunities to prove themselves in the first team.
What’s Next for Liverpool?
After their match against Greuther Furth, Liverpool will travel to Singapore for their third friendly of pre-season against Leicester City. It is hoped that Szoboszlai will be fit enough to make an appearance in that game.
The Reds will then return to England for their final friendly against Blackpool before they kick off their Premier League campaign against Leeds United on September 12th.
Conclusion
Liverpool are taking on Greuther Furth in their second friendly of pre-season, but Dominik Szoboszlai is unable to make an appearance due to a minor ankle injury. Klopp has been using this pre-season to give some of his younger players a chance to shine, and he will be hoping that Szoboszlai will be fit enough to make an appearance in their next friendly against Leicester City in Singapore. After that, Liverpool will return to England for their final friendly against Blackpool before they kick off their Premier League campaign against Leeds United on September 12th.